Dark Star (1974): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Dark Star is a 1974 sci-fi comedy directed by John Carpenter, starring Dre Pahich and Dan O'Bannon. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. Critics gave it 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- John Carpenter
- Original language
-
Swedish - Studio
- Jack H. Harris Enterprises
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Dark Star About?
The premise of Dark Star without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Filmmaker Belinda Sallin explores the life and artistic vision of H.R. Giger, the renowned creator of surreal and strikingly beautiful works. The documentary delves into Giger's profound impact on science fiction, music, and the realm of body art, revealing the inspirations and techniques behind his iconic designs. It offers a fascinating look at the mind of a true visionary and the lasting legacy of his unique aesthetic.
Dark Star Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- cult film
- deep space
- low budget film
- alien
- spoof
- satire
- music score composed by director
- parody
- cult classic
- sci fi parody
- sci fi spoof
- bomb
+38 more Show fewer
- alien creature as pet
- two word title
- exploding planet
- cult comedy
- surfing
- jet pack
- philosophy
- elevator shaft
- no survivors
- ship's log
- video diary
- hit with a broom
- talking to the dead
- beach ball
- alien creature
- phenomenology
- trapped in space
- independent film
- irreverence
- drugs
- minimal cast
- explosion
- slapstick comedy
- malibu california
- meteorite
- planet
- 2001
- futuristic
- human versus alien
- exploding body
- exploding ship
- cryogenics
- solipsism
- human
- cigar smoking
- laser
- exploding spaceship
- spaceship crew
Dark Star Cast
Dre Pahich leads the cast, with Dan O'Bannon. Directed by John Carpenter.
-
Director John Carpenter
More from John Carpenter
More films directed by John Carpenter, best-rated first: Halloween, Assault on Precinct 13, Escape from New York and The Thing.
Dark Star Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Dark Star 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 64% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB
Dark Star Plot Summary
What happens in Dark Star from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the late 22nd Century, a significant message from Earth reaches the Dark Star spaceship, where Colonel Watkins (played by Miles Watkins) announces that the spacecraft’s journey has been live-broadcast since its launch nearly 20 years ago. Due to the lengthy transmission times of about a decade, the crew is still grappling with the effects of a tragic incident: a radioactive leak that resulted in Commander Powell (portrayed by Joe Saunders) losing his life. As a consequence of this event, all flags are flown at half-mast on Earth, prompting a week of mourning, yet Congress refuses to fund a radiation shield.
Full summary
The whole story of Dark Star, scene by scene
Dark Star Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Clip Benson Arizona - Lets have some music in here, Boiler
- Clip Dark Star Commander Powell
- Clip Dark Star - Talking to the bomb
- Behind the Scenes DARK STAR (1974) miniature effects
How Well Do You Know Dark Star?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What was the primary mission of the spaceship 'Dark Star'?
Dark Star Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Finsterer Stern” and “John Carpenter: Dark Star”.
- Also known as
-
- Finsterer Stern
- John Carpenter: Dark Star
- John Carpenter's Dark Star
- Dark Star (Director's Cut)
- Aluniza como puedas: Dark Star
- Estrella oscura
- L'étoile noire
- Temná hvezda
- Pimeä tähti
- Σκοτεινό αστέρι
- Sötét csillag
- ダーク・スター
+19 more Show fewer
- Spreng planeten!
- Тамна звезда
- Estrela negra
- Temna zvezda
- Тёмная звезда
- Dark Star - Finsterer Stern
- Temná Hvězda
- Stea întunecată
- Ciemna gwiazda
- 다크 스타
- Тъмна звезда
- 黑星球
- Темна зірка
- 征空雜牌軍
- Tumšā zvaigzne
- Tamsioji žvaigždė
- Temná hviezda
- כוכב אפל
- Dark Star - L'étoile noire
Seen Dark Star?
Movies Like Dark Star
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dark Planet, Dark Universe and Star Crystal.
Dark Star FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Dark Star, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Dark Star?
Dark Star runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Dark Star released?
Dark Star was released on April 1, 1974.
Who directed Dark Star?
Dark Star was directed by John Carpenter.
More films by John Carpenter Who is in the cast of Dark Star?
Dark Star stars Dre Pahich and Dan O'Bannon.
How is Dark Star rated?
Dark Star has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.
Does Dark Star have a post-credit scene?
No. Dark Star has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Dark Star in?
The original language of Dark Star is Swedish.
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